Yarn multiple supply device for a machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for feeding a machine with a wire selected from a plurality of wires includes wire guides for supplying wires to a receiver device, a wire distributor for selecting one of the wires and moving the selected wire through an output guide to a machine, such as an electroerosion cutting device. The distributor includes shears for cutting the selected wire.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of feeding machines with wire,outside the field of the textile and clothing industry.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

In mechanics, a number of machines use or consume wire, and consequentlyneed a wire feed device and means for changing the wire., For examplethis is the case for wire electroerosion machines, in which it isnecessary to do machining with different diameters of wires.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,145 thus describes a device for automaticallychanging the wire on an electroerosion machine, and for example changingfrom a given diameter wire to a smaller diameter wire to perform finermachining.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 1 in this US patent, this device is definedmainly by two characteristic elements:

a) this device comprises two feed devices (US references 150a and 150b)provided with motors (US references 24, 26) and a guide tube (USreferences 154a and 154b), devices corresponding to the two types ofwires, and means for installing the active device and then removing itand replacing it by the other device,

b) setting of the active device consists of using jacks (US references151a, 151b) to align it with electroerosion machine wire guide elements(US references 153a and 153b), and to bring it close to these guideelements using a guide screw (US reference 18) aligned with these guideelements and a motor (US reference 20).

Similarly, European patent application No. EP-A-0 581 493 describes adevice for changing the wire on an electroerosion machine, with a wirereel feed in which the ends of the wires are welded together.

There is also Japanese application JP-A-61 121832 in which the wire ischanged using an electroerosion machine provided with a feed guide tubethat can be directed towards either of the two reels of wire feeding theelectroerosion machine.

PROBLEM THAT ARISES

The solution to the problem of changing ware provided by the feeddevices described above in the state of prior art section has fourdifferent types of disadvantages:

1) on the one hand, these devices are only suitable for a singleelectroerosion machine and for a limited number of wires (two wires ineach of the three documents mentioned). Note also that due to cost andsize problems, the state of prior art solution only allows the presenceof a limited number of feed wires (two in the three documents mentioned)or feed devices, which is a disadvantage to the extent that it would bedesirable to have at least four feed devices particularly for machiningwith a wire electroerosion machine, two corresponding to the differentwire diameters, and two on standby in case the wires should break.

2) Apart from the case of very small independent workshops, workshopshave a number of different electroerosion machines. Most frequently,with devices made according to the state of prior art, the devices wouldhave to be provided in large numbers, by duplicating the equipment foreach individual machine, which increases costs,

3) on the other hand, devices according to the state of prior artgenerally impose alignment constraints with the electroerosion machineand therefore these devices are practically part of it, whichcorrespondingly increases the total size occupied by the machine at themachining location,

4) finally, known devices are not well adapted to modern workshopconfigurations in which it is desirable that machines, particularlyelectroerosion machines are not encumbered with wire reels, these wirereels intended to feed said devices preferably being used to supply anentire group of machines and being stored separately.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a multiple feed device that solves theproblems mentioned above.

This object is not limited to the particular type of electroerosionmachine mentioned in the state of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multiple feed device for feeding at least one machine with aselected wire according to the invention comprises:

a) the same number of feed devices DA_(i) where i varies from 1 to n andn varies from 2 to any number, as there are wires F_(i) to be selected,each device DA_(i) being fed from wire packaging C_(i) by means of inputside guide means GM_(i),

b) at least one output side guide means GV designed to feed said machinewith wire,

c) a distributor, which puts said feed device DA_(i) corresponding tosaid selected wire F_(i), and in which,

1) a wire (9) feeding a feed devices DA_(i) (6) is straightened,

2) said output side guide means GV_(j) is a flexible tube (5).

3) said input side guide means GM_(i) is a flexible tube (4).

This feed device includes a means of cutting the wire which can be builtinto the feed device, or into the distributor or into the receivingdevice.

The input side and output side guide means, typically tubes or sheaths,are preferable flexible, but they could be rigid provided that theyenable movement of said device DA_(i) and said receiver device DR sothat they face each other.

In practice, the number n of wires rarely exceeds 16. But the inventionis applicable to any number of wires.

The means defined by the invention solve all of the problems that occur.

In fact, on the one hand, for a given machine to be fed with anarbitrary number n of wires, the major part of the feed device is commonand includes the distributor and the flexible receiver device DRprovided with an output side guide means designed to feed said machinewith wire.

Only the feed devices DA_(i), where i varies from 1to n, have to beprovided individually for each different wire.

On the other hand, the invention is not restricted to feeding a singlemachine, the same distributor and the same means upstream saiddistributor (feed devices, upstream guide means and the n straightenedwires) may be used for all machines in the group.

Moreover, the invention allows for the use or flexible upstream anddownstream guide means (typically tubes and sheaths) so that usermachines do not need to be encumbered with auxiliary devices for theirwire feed, since the device according to the invention may be relativelyfar away from said machines.

Thus, a complete fairly voluminous assembly, including the various wirepackaging, can be relatively far away from said machine, i.e. a fewmeters to several tens of meters (stores).

Finally, all means according to the invention, and particularly thejoint use of a distributor according to the invention, pre-straightenedwires and flexible guide means, make it possible firstly to share meanscommon to an entire group of machines, and secondly to relocate wirefeed means which, as already mentioned, may be completely separated fromthe machines to be fed with wire, all of these elements being conduciveto economic and rational management of workshops.

The distributor according to the invention is simply any mechanicalmeans capable of putting the receiver device DR facing the chosen feeddevice DA_(i) by the use of guide means (guide rails, worm screw, etc.)and movement means (jacks, motors, etc.) known per se. Thus, changingwire with the device according to the invention is extremely simple andfast since all that is necessary is to move a receiver device DRrelative to a feed device DA_(i) from one position to an adjacentposition, without requiring joining wires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2a to 2e are cross sections showing the sequence of operationsteps;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a distributor;

FIG. 4a is a top view of the distributor;

FIG. 4b is a right side view of the distributor;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a machining assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention comprising, from upstream todownstream, firstly wire (9) packaging (3), then the multiple feeddevice (1) according to the invention and an electroerosion machine (2).

The packaging (3) comprises three drums denoted C₁, C₂ and C₃, thecorresponding wires being denoted F₁, F₂ and F₃. Generally, objects withthe same subscript correspond to each other.

The multiple feed device (1) comprises:

an upstream wire guide means (4) for each wire, the three guide meansshown being denoted GM₁, GM₂ and GM₃.

a feed device (6) for each wire, the three feed means being denoted DA₁,DA₂, and DA₃. Each feed device (6) comprises a first set of wheels suchas motor driven rollers (60) that engage the wire until it reaches thereceiver device (8) or until the wire is removed after being cut.

a distributor (7) comprising a guide means (70) and a drive meansdriving the receiver device (8) comprising a motor (71) and a worm screw72).

a receiver device (8) comprising shears (80) and a second set of motordriven rollers.

a downstream flexible wire guide means GV between the receiver device(8) and the electroerosion machine (2).

The electroerosion machine (2) comprises a set of drive wheels (200), anupper wire guide (201) and a lower wire guide (203), the part to bemachined (202) being located between these two wire guides.

Generally, driven rollers (81) like driven rollers (60) only pull thewire forward during the initial wire engagement phase, and then as soonas the wire reaches the drive wheels (200) these drive wheels pull thewire, and the rollers (60, 81) then rotate in free wheel.

FIGS. 2a to 2e show operational steps of the device according tospecifically the invention; the sequence of steps necessary to replacewire F3 with wire F1.

FIG. 2a shows the initial state; the device is in operation and is fedwith wire F3, wire F3 moving from the right towards the left.

In FIG. 2b, the wire F3 is cut by the shears (80), as symbolized byarrow A.

In FIG. 2c, the drive rollers (60c) of the feed device (6c) remove wireF3 in the direction of arrow B, such that wire F3 is disengaged from thereceiver device (8).

In FIG. 2d, the receiver device (8) is moved using guide rails (70),motor (71) and the drive worm screw (72), from position "3" to position"1".

In FIG. 2e, wire F1 is engaged in the receiver device (8) by rotatingrollers (60a) and possibly rollers (81) until the drive wheel (200) inthe electroerosion machine takes over.

FIGS. 3 4a and 4b show an embodiment of a distributor (7) in the case inwhich three machines are each to be fed with a wire chosen among sixwires by means of six feed devices (6) and three receiver devices (8).

The parts shown in solid lines (front view) correspond to the threereceiver devices (8), and the parts shown in dotted lines (back view)correspond to the six feed devices (6).

The distributor (7) includes guide and drive means corresponding to thesix feed devices (6) and the three receiver devices (8) due to:

a lattice of guide means, formed by the intersection of three pairs ofhorizontal guide rails (70a to 70c) of the three receiver devices (8),with the six pairs of vertical guide rails (73a to 73f) of the six feeddevices (6). Each feed device (6) on this open mesh lattice can onlymove along a given vertical column and is identified by DA_(i), wherei=1 to 6, whereas each receiver device (8) can only move along a givenhorizontal line, and is identified by DR_(j), where j=1 to 3. Thesenotations are shown between brackets in FIG. 3.

first means for moving the three receiver devices including motors (71ato 71c) and worm screws (72a to 72c) and second means for moving sixfeed devices including motors (74a to 74f) and worm screws (75a to 75f).

FIG. 5 shows a machining assembly (cutting by electroerosion) composedof three units denoted A, B and C.

Unit A represents a mobile carriage comprising:

drums (3) containing pre-straightened wire (9') off different diametersand grades mounted on pallet (10),

a barrel wire selector (7'), the wire between the lower fixed multi-wirereceptacle and the upper rotary selector being cut by means of shears(80),

a roller drive (81) sending the wire into the sheath (5). Unit Brepresents a fixed electroerosion cutting machine (2) comprising:

the device (11) moving the part to be machined (12),

the wire reception receptacle (13) into which the sheath is inserted(5),

the vertical movement selector (14) supporting the wire guides (15),

the wire tension drive/adjuster (16) and the container (17) forreception of consumed wire,

the tank for the machining fluid (18).

Unit C shows the control desk (19) for coordination of the two selectors(7') and (14).

According to a first embodiment of the invention a multiple feed device(1) for a single electroerosion machine (2) includes feed devices DA,which are fixed so that a selected feed device and a receiver device DRare facing each other by means of a distributor (7) moving the receiverdevice to face a feed device corresponding to a selected wire F_(j).

The selected device DA_(i) may face said receiver device DR by moving alinear or circular distributor (7) with n positions corresponding to theoutputs of the n devices DA_(i) either by a selective linear or angularmovement of the receiver device.

FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2e illustrate this embodiment in the special case of alinear distributor receiving three devices DA_(i) corresponding to threewires F₁, F₂, F₃.

According to a second embodiment of the invention for a device designedto feed more than one machine Mj, this device (1) includes one receiverdevice DR_(i) and one downstream guide device GV_(j) (5) where j variesfrom 2 to p and p is any number but is typically less than 10, for eachmachine M_(j) to be fed, in which said selected device DA_(i) and saidselected receiver device DR_(j) face each other by means of a matrixdistributor with n rows and p columns, each of said receiver devicesDR_(j) being moved linearly along row j to be positioned facing anyselected column i, and said feed devices DA_(i) are moved linearly alongcolumn i to face any selected row j.

This second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b.

With this type of distributor, the feed device faces a receiver deviceby moving either one and/or the other device (6) or (8).

The invention may be applied to any type of wire provided that suitabledrive means are adapted. However, wires that are easy to use accordingto the invention have sufficient compression strength so that they canbe driven by simple mechanical means such as wheels or drive rollers,which is not generally the case for the relatively fine thread used inthe textile industry.

Thread or wire that can be used may be composed of any material, naturalmaterials, plastics, metals, and mixtures of materials or compositematerials.

Preferably said thread or wire is metallic or includes a metal core.

The packaging of the wire may be a reel or a coil or any otherconventional wire packaging means. Secondary means of unwinding the wireare inserted ahead of distributor (7). For packaging in reels, thesemeans consist of motor driven unwinders, servocontrolled by wire tensioncontrol runners; these devices are generally expensive and cumbersome.

Furthermore the wire must be straightened before it enters the sheathsGM_(i). This is necessary for satisfactory sliding of the wire in thetubes or sheaths and its precise positioning in the distributor. Forsmall diameter wires packaged in reels, such as wires forelectroerosion, means are known to guarantee sufficient straightnesswithout it being necessary to straighten the wire. On the other hand,for larger diameter wires (for example used for screw cutting, coldheading or welding) and for wires packaged in drums, a straighteningdevice 30 must be installed upstream each sheath. These devices aregenerally expensive, cumbersome and difficult to adjust.

In all cases, it is advantageous to use pre-straightened wire packagedin drums. In this case, the wire output from the drum is alreadystraight and torsion free.

The feed device DA_(i) according to the invention comprises an upstreamdrive means. The receiver device DR_(j) may comprise shears (80) anddownstream drive means (81).

These means are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a to 2e.

The device according to the invention also comprises automation andcoordination means 32 (computers or calculators, programmable logiccontrollers, etc.) making it possible to automatically change the wireF_(i) and/or the machine M_(j), particularly by automatic use of thedistributor with its movement control means, upstream and downstreamdrive means, and shears (80), or any other means of changing the wire.

If the machine 2 is an electroerosion machine, the wire guide change(201, 203) and the corresponding automatic wire diameter change can becoupled together, since there is a wire guide with a given insidediameter corresponding to each wire diameter.

The invention can also be used to obtain an automated standby feed, bydetection of the state of the upstream and downstream arrive means,typically motorized rollers for which rotation may be detected in thefollowing different cases:

a) break in the wire feed:

Except during wire change operations, motor driven rollers (60, 81) ofthe feed devices DA_(i) and the receiver devices DA_(j) are inactive.They turn freely driven by wire friction; the wire is itself driven by adevice (200) specific to the machine (2) located downstream. Rollermotors are only used during wire changes as already described above.

However, these motor driven rollers may also be used to detect a feeddefect upstream the device (wire break or end of reel). During normalunwinding of the wire, roller motors driven by the wire movement outputan electric current by the dynamo effect. If there is a wire feed fault(in wire F_(i)), there is a short time period during which the rollers(60) of the device DA_(i) stop while the rollers (81) of device DR_(j)facing it continue to rotate. During this time period, the motor of thefeed rollers (60) stops outputting current, whereas the motor of thereceiver rollers continue to output current. This is a 100% reliableindicator that the feed wire is broken.

All that is necessary to provide an automatic standby feed when the feedwire F_(i) breaks, is to:

firstly engage a wire F_(i) ' identical to F_(i), in the feed deviceDA_(i) ',

program the distributor (7) so as to move the receiver device DR_(j)(facing DA_(i)) to position it facing DA_(i), as soon as the break inwire F_(i) is detected, so that the feed can be resumed with wire F_(i)'.

b) blocking the wire:

If rollers (60, 81) for devices DA_(i) and DR_(j) stop simultaneously, awire stoppage is detected instead of a break in the wire feed. This maybe due either to blockage in unwinding the reel, or if the machine isstopped.

In the first case (poor unwinding of the reel), the automatic action canbe programmed as follows; the shears (80) at wire F_(i) are activatedand the receiver device DR_(j) is positioned facing the wire F_(i) feeddevice DA_(i) '. If the downstream portion of the cut wire then advancescorrectly (as determined by a short term rotation of roller (81) ofdevice DR_(j)), then the blockage really occurred upstream, therefore atthe wire (3) reel or packaging. The machine can then restart normallyusing wire F_(i) '. If the downstream part of the cut wire does notadvance and consequently the rollers (81) remain stationary, then theblockage occurs downstream, on the machine (2). In this case the systemtriggers an alarm so that the operator can take appropriate actions onthe machine (2).

c) repeated failures of automatic reinsertion (particularly in the caseof electroerosion machines):

In the case of electroerosion, some machine (2) stoppages are part ofits normal operation, when the wire break occurs in its active area (inthe actual machining area). Modern electroerosion machines use anautomatic reinsertion device (with the same wire from the same reel) sothat this type of almost inevitable incident can be dealt with.Reinsertion works well provided that the wire is sufficiently straight,which is generally the case. However, it is possible that reinsertionmay be impossible if the wire is not sufficiently straight; in this casethe machine stops.

This dysfunction can be overcome by programming the electroerosionmachine computer so that, after a given number of reinsertion attempts(for example 3), it orders the distributor to cut the wire F_(i) andengage wire F_(i) '. This prevents loss of production due to a prolongedstoppage of the machine.

d) reel change indicator (3):

The computer that controls the feed device (1) stores the number ofwires F_(i) that have been replaced. By periodically referring to thecorresponding memory register, the workshop supervisor is kept informedand can organize replacement of empty or defective reels.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the means describedin the examples or shown in the figures, and that the functions of theinvention may be used with a number of practical alternatives that givethe same results.

Another object of the invention is application of the device accordingto the invention to multiple and central feed of one or several machinesM_(j) (2) by several wires F_(i) (9), said guide means (4, 5) and/ordrive means (60, 81) being adapted to the mechanical properties of saidwire, and particularly its compression strength.

Preferably, this application relates to wire electroerosion machines(2), and screw cutting (M1), cold heading (M2) and welding machines(M3).

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Example 1

The device shown in FIGS. 1, 2a to 2e, except for the means (71, 72) ofcontrolling the movement of the receiver device (8), were made using ahydraulic jack with a programmable stroke.

The device has been automated so as to sequentially carry out all stepsshown in detail in FIGS. 2a to 2e.

The packaging (3) included three drums of pre-straightened wire for theelectroerosion machine.

The sheaths (4) were made of 12 m long flexible tubes.

The assembly composed of the feed devices (6), the distributor (7) andthe receiver device (8) occupied a small volume of 10×20×50 cm³ and wereplaced on top of the electroerosion machine control desk.

It was found that wire changes were obtained in less than 2 seconds.

Example 2

The multiple feed device (1) was made as shown in FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b. Asin the case in example 1, hydraulic jacks with programmable stroke andspeed were used instead of the motors and worm screws of the FIG. 3arrangement.

The distributor was formed by positioning three sets of horizontal guiderails (70a, 70b, 70c) and six sets of vertical rails (73a to 73f) on ametal frame 3.

A feed device denoted DA_(i) (I=1 to 6) moved by a hydraulic jack, wasplaced on each of the vertical rails.

Similarly, a receiver device denoted DR_(j) (j=1 to 3) moved by ahydraulic jack was placed on each of the horizontal rails.

Feed devices (6) and receivers (8) were similar to those used in example1.

As in example 1, the device (1) control was automated and programmed. Inparticular, since resources (the six wires) are shared between threemachines in this example, the program must predict and manage"conflicts" if two machines need to use the same wire.

Since movements of the vertical and horizontal jacks are independent,the wire change time in example 2 is practically the same as that inexample 1.

Advantages of the Invention

The invention has all advantages provided by solving the problems thatarise with the state of prior art.

Some of the most significant advantages are undoubtedly firstly theability to keep all wire packagings separately in a storage location, inorder to obtain a machining or transformation area without any largedead volumes.

Another major advantage lies in the joint use of input and output guidemeans, and preferably straightened wire, so that wire can be distributedin a manner similar to the distribution of fluids and power supplies(water, gas, electricity distribution, etc.), and almost as flexibly asthe distribution of these fluids or power supplies.

Another advantage lies in automation of wire feed, which takes accountof the many incidents that can occur, so that incidents related to thewire itself and its feed (apart from cases in which the machine itselfis defective) do not have a significant influence on the productivity ofthe machine itself, since they are processed by the operator in idletime.

What is claimed is:
 1. Multiple feed device (1) for at least one machineM_(j) (2) to be fed with a straightened wire (9) selected from among nwires, with n varying from 2 to 16, comprising:a) a number n of feeddevices DA_(i), each device DA_(i) being fed with a wire F_(i) from wirepackaging C_(i) (3) by means of an input guide means GM_(i), each feeddevice DA_(i) comprising upstream drive means, b) one receiver deviceDR_(j) (8) for each machine M_(j) (2), provided with an output guidemeans GV_(j), designed to feed said machine M_(j) (2) with wire, eachreceiver device DR_(j) comprising downstream drive means, and means tocut said wire, c) a distributor (7), for moving a selected receiverdevice between a first position in alignment with a first selected feeddevice DA_(i) corresponding to the selected wire F_(i), and a secondposition in alignment with a second one of the feed devices DA_(i)whereby any one of said wires F_(i) may be fed to any one of said atleast one machine M_(i).
 2. The multiple feed device according to claim1, in which said feed devices DA_(i) are fixed, and said distributor (7)moves said selected receiver device DR_(j) to face said selected feeddevice DA_(i) corresponding to the selected wire F_(i).
 3. The multiplefeed device according to claim 2, in which said distributor (7) movessaid receiver device DR_(j) along a path having n positionscorresponding to the outputs of said number n of feed devices DA_(i)(6), in order that said selected receiver device DR_(j) faces saidselected feed devices DA_(i).
 4. The multiple feed device according toclaim 1 including a downstream guide means GV_(j), comprising flexibletubes (5), for each of the at least one machine M_(j) (2) to be fed, inwhich said distributor (7) is a matrix distributor (7A) having n linearfeed device paths (73a to 73f) for each of the n feed devices DA_(i)(6), and p linear receiver device paths (70a to 70c) for each of the preceiver devices DR_(j) (8), whereby any machine may be fed with anywire, said matrix distributor (7) allowing any one of the feed devicesDA to be aligned with any selected receiver device DR_(j).
 5. Themultiple feed device according to claim 4, in which said straightenedwire comprises a pre-straightened wire.
 6. The multiple feed deviceaccording to claim 4, further comprising a wire straightening deviceupstream of said distributor.
 7. The multiple feed device according toclaim 1, in which said straightened wire (9) comprises a metallic wire.8. The multiple feed device according to claim 1, further comprisingautomation and coordination means for automatic changing of the wireF_(i) and/or the machine M_(j) by automatic use of said distributor (7)with its movement.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein at leastone of said guide means and said drive means is specifically designed toaccommodate said wires.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the atleast one machine is selected from the group consisting of anelectroerosion machine, a screw cutting machine, a cold heading machineand a welding machine.
 11. Apparatus for feeding a machine with a singlewire selected from a plurality of different wires, comprising:means forsupplying wires; a receiver for the wires; a wire distributor; a wireoutput guide; said means for supplying wires feeding a plurality ofwires to said receiver, said receiver including means for feeding theplurality of wires to the wire distributor and said wire distributorincluding means to move said wire output guide from a first position inalignment with any one wire of said plurality of wires to a secondposition in alignment with another one of said plurality of wires andfor feeding a wire to the wire output guide.
 12. The apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the receiver for the wires includes a plurality offeed devices and each feed device includes a pair of motor drivenrollers.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the wiredistributor includes feed means which is movable relative to thereceiver.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein thedistributor further includes a pair of shears for cutting the selectedwire.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, further including acutter for cutting a wire and control means for controlling said cutterand said wire distributor whereby a second one of said plurality ofwires can be fed to said receiver after a first one of said plurality ofwires is cut.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the meansfor supplying wires includes a plurality of wire packagings, and aplurality of upstream wire guides.
 17. The apparatus according to claim16, wherein the plurality of wires are coiled wires that have beenstraightened.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the wiresare metallic.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the wirescomprise a metal core.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, whereinthe machine comprises a machine for performing a machining operation onthe selected wire.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein theoperation is electroerosion.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 11,wherein said receiver for wires and said wire distributor are moved bymeans of a motor and worm gear device so that the distributor faces thefeed device of the selected wire.
 23. A method for feeding a wire to atleast one machine, said method comprising:supplying each wire of saidplurality of wires to one of a plurality of individual feeding devicesin a distributor; moving one of said plurality of individual feedingdevices in the distributor to a location opposite a selected receiverfeeding device and feeding a wire from said individual feeding devicesinto said receiver feeding device; and outputting the wire from theselected receiver feeding device to a machine.
 24. The method accordingto claim 23, further including the step of cutting the selected wire.25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the machine is selectedfrom a group of machines consisting of an electroerosion machine, ascrew cutting machine, a cold heading machine and a welding machine. 26.Multiple feed device (1) for at least one machine M_(j) (2) to be fedwith a straightened wire (9) selected from among n wires, with n varyingfrom 2 to 16, comprising:a) a number n of feed devices DA_(i), eachdevice DA_(i) being fed with a wire F_(i) from wire packaging C_(i) (3)by means of an input guide means GM_(i) comprising a flexible tube (4),each feed device DA_(i) comprising upstream drive means comprisingmotorized rollers (60), b) one receiver device DR_(j) (8) for eachmachine M_(j) (2), provided with an output guide means GV_(j) comprisinga flexible tube (5), designed to feed said each machine M_(j) (2) withwire, each receiver device DR_(j) comprising downstream drive means,including motorized rollers (81), and means to cut a wire, c) adistributor (7), for aligning a selected feed device DA_(i)corresponding to said selected wire F_(i), with a selected receiverdevice DR_(j) corresponding to a machine M_(j), and, d) means forchanging the position of at least one of the selected wire F_(i) and theselected receiver device DR_(j).